Public Safety

Washington, Nov. 17 – Congress gave law enforcement agencies plenty to cheer about last winter when it included $1 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to revive the popular but moribund Community Oriented Policing Services hiring program. The program allows police departments to hire or retain officers they would not otherwise be able to afford. Demand for those funds was strong, but the 1,044 successful applicants must now navigate the stringent requirements that come with their grant awards.

Washington, May 19 – The resounding message from local law enforcement officials at a recent Senate hearing was clear: putting more police officers on the streets will boost the sagging economy by putting more people to work, lowering crime and stimulating economic activity.

Washington, May 12 — According to documents released by the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), a total of 26 police agencies across the nation will not be considered for a share of the $1 billion in COPS hiring grants appropriated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; Pub. L. 111-5). Due to a range of violations committed while administering previous COPS awards — some dating back to 1995 — the agencies in question are barred from receiving Recovery Act COPS funds.

Washington, March 11 -- The Department of Justice recently published notices of funding availability (NOFAs) for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant formula programs for states and local governments. Applications for state grants are due April 9; local governments must apply by May 18. The full state NOFA can be found here, and the local government NOFA can be found here.

The Office of Justice Programs, a division of the Department of Justice, recently launched a new Web site that details which of its grant programs are included in the economic stimulus package, and how much each program will be distributing. Funded programs include the Edward Byrne Memorial Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, Grants for Victim Compensation and Assistance, and Assistance for Tribal Law Enforcement.  

Congress' economic stimulus proposal includes restoration of funding for the popular Community Oriented Policing Grants program, which was recently defunded at the behest of former President Bush. Multiple reports have credited the program with reducing crime during the 1990s.

Washington, June 10 – Local fire departments looking for funds to renovate their existing fire stations or construct totally new ones have to act quickly to get their share of $210 million made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Washington, May 29 – Local fire departments looking for funds to renovate their existing fire stations or construct totally new ones now have a chance for a share of $210 million made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Washington, Aug. 10 – Despite a major boost from the Recovery Act for grants to fire departments in need of new stations, it appears that requests for funding have dramatically outpaced the $210 million the law provided, meaning many applicants will likely be disappointed.

Washington, July 30 — The Transit Security Grant Program has awarded nearly $78 million in Recovery Act funding, which will allow for approximately 240 new law enforcement officers at 15 transit systems across the nation.